“The magazine echoes the variety of opinions and ideas on what it means to be Asian today.
Editorially led, the clear design throughout the publication gives way to the significant content of each feature.”
— It’s Nice That, November 2019
HARPER’S BAZAAR (JAPAN)—NOVEMBER 2019
“Asian-American media continues to reinvent itself.
One of the newest and most exciting iterations is Banana Magazine, created five years ago out of Chinatown in New York, by Vicki Ho and Kathleen Tso. “
— Columbia Journalism Review, July 2019
“…I felt both camaraderie and appreciation for their effort to redefine narratives surrounding Asian-American identity.
It’s a mission for $6.99 Per Pound to support and commemorate the release of their latest issue 005, we’re highlighting the founders Vicki Ho and Kathleen Tso on this latest episode. Hear them break down the origins of the magazine, Asian American weed culture, and Taiwanese Drag Culture.”
—$6.99 Per Pound, July 2019
“Banana boasts some of the most unique and robust stories out there.
With a wide variety of topics that span art, fashion, food, music, and ideas that are derived from Eastern culture … Commentary on social issues such as body image and submission is featured alongside recipes for cannabis-influenced Asian cuisine.”
— Highsnobiety, July 2019
“Through their beautiful issues,
Ho and Tso share the unique stories and experiences of different Asian Americans, proving that in the end, we all have more in common than we think and that our culture should be celebrated, not minimized.”
— Bustle, May 2019
“Co-Founders Kathleen Tso and Vicki Ho hope to turn the stereotypical term “Banana” into a celebratory one."
— Mingjing News, May 2019
“For this issue, the Banana team … [put] their community’s POV front and center.
… Many of the same features that popped up in internal brainstorm sessions also appeared in Instagram DMs and email requests, which just goes to show — they know their audience through and through.”
— Milk.xyz, May 2019
“Banana magazine shines a light onto a flourishing, colourful corner of Asia’s drag community
These photographs lift the lid on Taipei’s growing, energetic drag scene.”
— DAZED, May 2019
“NYC's Downtown Party Scene Is Good Again (Here Are A Few People To Thank)
…a group of Asian-American creatives have recently worked to make Manhattan's Chinatown feel like the center of the world once again.”
— Refinery29, May 2019
“Coach tapped Banana Magazine’s cofounders to help plan and host the event, which runs alongside Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month.
How WeChat Helped Link Yeti Out With Coach. The two kicked off a three-city celebration of their collaboration, starting in West Hollywood.”
—WWD, May 2019
“The event was a culturally exciting moment.
“It’s great to be hosting the collaboration launch, which is timed with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month,” said Tso. “We’re happy to bring the community together.”
— VOGUE, May 2019
“Blazing Asians”
A Story from Banana Issue 005 featured on High Times
— High Times, May 2019
HEAPS MAGAZINE — SEPTEMBER 2019
“The groundbreaking platform exists to highlight Asian voices, not just include them.
Ho and Tso created Banana Magazine, an annual print publication and digital platform covering contemporary topics from an Asian perspective ― all without featuring a single white person.
—Huffington Post, June 2018
“These 'AZN' Zines Are Here To Tell The Asian American Story
"All things AZN," BANANA is an annual magazine that aims to tell the ever-changing, contemporary story of "baesians" everywhere—from rising artists and musicians to Instagram personality Breadface.”
—PAPER, June 2018
'BANANA' MAGAZINE'S LATEST ISSUE DIVES DEEP INTO CULTURAL TOPICS
Now, co-founders Kathleen Tso and Vicki Ho dive into deeper issues by exploring themes that are not so often talked about.”
—HYPEBAE, May 2018
“The Next Generation of Baesians” … unpacks the current landscape of Asian representation in Hollywood
With rising stars Michele Selene Ang from 13 Reasons Why and Daniel Isaac Kim from Billions.
—Refinery29, May 2018
“Banana Magazine Is Exploring Asian-American Gender Identity in a Completely New Way
Here, they discuss their fourth issue, which focuses on the question of “What is Asian-American masculinity and femininity?”
—allure, May 2018
“Zachary Schwartz details his experience grappling with masculinity and race.”
A Story from Issue 004 featured on VICE.
—VICE, May 2018
“Vicki and Kathleen spoke to Asia Blog about their childhood, their vision for the magazine, and what the word "banana" means to them.
The only Asians on set, they became close friends and in 2015 launched Banana magazine, an annual print publication that showcases Asian American now-ness, creativity, and identity — a curated time capsule of “All Things AZN."
—Asia Society, May 2018
“Banana is concerned with the encounter of Asian culture and Western perspectives,
and deals with the complexities of identity by elevating the voices of Asian artists and creatives.”
—Bitch Media, April 2018
More Press: